DEVIZES 2nd’s winless run in Dorset & Wilts One North was stretched to eight games as they came up short against Melksham.

The visitors had to absorb a lot of pressure from Melksham’s pack in the first half, but they held firm, yielding only two penalties to the home side’s Simon Foster.

Fielding a teenage back three of Eddy Darragh, 19, Dan Rose, 18, and Sam Jones, 17, Devizes played themselves into the game and got on the board as Matty Holloran booted a penalty before half time.

Foster added a further penalty after the break, but Devizes then enjoyed their best spell of the game and mauled their way over the try line to allow Tim Alchin to touch down, Holloran’s conversion hitting the post.

Devizes piled forward in search of another score, but were caught out when the ball eluded them at a ruck and Melksham wing Rory Mulgrew raced in under the psts, Foster adding the conversion.

The home side, who introduced Jack Hiscox for his debut in the second period, rubbed salt into the wounds as Phil Williams broke through midfield to again go under the posts, Foster’s conversion wrapping up the victory.

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